Clutch mechanism.



No. 874,419. I P-ATENTED DEC. 24, 190% W. :R. MoKEEN, R,

CLUTCH MECHANISM. APPLICIATIOLI 311.111) 0012. 1905.

3 flHEBTS -BHEBT 1.

No'. 874,419. PATENTED DEC. 24, 1907.

. W. R. MGKEEN, JR-

GLUTGH' MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 0013.2. 1905.

3 SHEETB-BHEET 2.

No. 874,419. PATENTED DEC. T24, 1907. w. R. M0KEEN, Jx.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-2. 1905. I

3 SHEBTE-SHEET 3.

. no I I I UNITED sT TEs" PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. McKEEN, 1a., or OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD n. HARRIMAN, OF

ARDEN, NEW YORK.

CLUTCH MECEANISM.

Speeifieation'of Letters Patent.

. Patented Dec. 24, 1907.

T 0 all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. Mo- KEEN, J r., residing at Omaha, in the county 'of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutch Mechanism, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to power-transmitting mechanism and, .more particularly, to clutch mechanism.

One of the objects thereof is to provide an efficient, practical clutch mechanism of simple construction and reliable action.

Another object is to provide means in connection with mechanism of the above type adapted automatically to hold the clutchmembers' in operative relation one to another.

Another object is to provide means in connection with mechanism of the type 'first described adapted to permit the clutch- 'members readily to be thrown into or out of operative relation.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

'The invention, accordingly, consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts whichv Fig. 3 is an end view of a clutch-mem er;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing details of teeth.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Preliminary to a detailed description of this embodiment of my invention and in order to render clearer of understanding certain features thereof, it may here be noted that I have found in connection with mechanism of the nature of that with which this invention deals, that it is highly desirable are substantiall to provide means for automatically drawing or tending to draw the clutch-members into engagement one with another, whereby no extraneous power is required for holding them in operative relation. found that it is highly advantageous to provide means for automatically assisting in the throwing out ofthe clutch and thus reduce the power re uired for this purpose. It may here be note moreover, that the latter described means are of peculiar value when used in connection'with the holdin' means first referred to. The above an other advantages are secured inconstructions of the nature of that hereinafter described.

Referring now to. the accompanying draw-. in s, there is shown in Fig. 2 a shaft or axle 1 aving fixed thereon a wheel 2, which, in this illustrative embodiment, represents the wheel of a railway car or other vehicle. Loosely mounted upon shaft 1 is a sleeve 3 having fixed thereon a driving gear 4 which is, in this case, adapted for use with a sprocketchain and to be driven from any desired source of power. Sleeve 3 and shaft 1 are journaled within a frame 5, having an extension 6, for a purpose hereinafter described, and provided with openings 7" to adapt the same to be mounted upon the truck of the car.

Keyed upon sleeve 3 is a gear-8 intermeshing with a gear 9 fast upon a counter or back gear shaft 10 journaled within the extension 6 of the/frame; In like manner'fixed upon shaft 10 is a gear 11 meshing with a gear 12 loosely mounted upon the axle or shaft 1. These gears are preferably of proportions substantially of the order shown, thus resulting in the gear 12 being driven at a rate of seed different from and. preferably lower t an that of the gear 8.

Upon the .adjacent,

lateral faces of the I have also gears 8 and 12 are formed clutch-members 13 and 14, of which, as the same are identical, one only will be described. Clutchmember 13 comprises a series of teeth 15, preferably sixteen in number and having a shape whichwill hereinafter be set forth in detail. All engaging surfaces of these teeth radial to the axis of rotation of the 1110111 or upon. which they are positioned, and the teeth themselves are preferably formed integralwith the spur-gears upon which they are mounted.

Keyed upon the shaft 1 is an intermediate double-faced clutch member 1.6, the active portionsof which are adapted to co-act respectively with the clutch-members 13 and 14. Clutch-member 16 is provided with an annular groove 17, within .which is fitted a band 18' having pivotally connected therewith the forked end of. an operatlng lever 19 mounted upon the frame as shown.

which are inclined toward the point as shown at 21, the angle of inclination with respect to the central line 'a:a: being'substantl'ally 45 degrees. The extreme point is flattened or blunted, as shown at 22, to prevent chipping of this part, and the inclined portions are merged into 'this blunted part by gradual curves as at'23. The inner end of the inclined or-converging portions 21 terminates in a curve of lesser radius leading to a portion 24 which is undercut or inclined inwardly toward the root of the tooth. From portion 24, by means of the relatively sharp, curved portion 25, the surfaces develop into portions 26, inclined away from the root of the tooth,

and are merged by a short radius curve '27 a-relatively flattened portion 28, forming the base of the space between successive teeth. Theentire curve of each part of the .tooth is symmetrical witlrreference to the line g y, the inner portion thereof being the reverse of the outer portion so as to provide an even bearing for opposing teeth as shown at 29. The teeth are spaced,moreover, so as to rovide a desirable amount of play or has -lash, as at 30, in order to render their action more efficient.

In order to avoid the chance of ambiguity in the meaning of certain terms used through-1 -out this description and the following claims, it may here be noted that they are used with the following significance: By the term lateral, as descriptive of "a portion of a rotatable member, is meant the extreme portion thereof in the direction of its axis of rotation. Outer and inner are used with reference. to portions of teeth as descriptive respectively of those parts which are toward the point or toward the root of the tooth. By the term undercut is meant a shape by virtue ofwhich the faces of the tooth are inclined inwardly toward the root, whereas the expression converging is used-to refer to an opposite disposition of the faces of the tooth.

The operation of the above-described embodiment of :my invention, which should be largely obvious from the above description, is substantially as follows: Clutch-member 16, being thrown by lever 19 from any desired source of power, upon first engaging quickly thrust past the relative position in' which the inclined surfaces 21 upon the opposing teeth are in engagement, the undercut portions 24 are brought into operative relation and' the clutch-members automatically drawn together and held together by their action one upon the other. When it is desired, however, to throw out the clutch or to throw it into engagement with the opposite clutch-member, as forpurposes of changing the speed of the driven shaft, it is quickly brought .to a position in which the inclined surfaces 21 are broughtjnto engagement, whereupon .the teeth are snapped away from one another by reason of the action of these sin-faces. The clutch is thus quickly thrown out, reducing the chance of stripping the teeth and aiding the action of the lever 19.

It will thus be seen that I have provided simple and compact clutch mechanism. which is well adapted to accomplish the several objects of my invention. The members are readily thrown into engagement, it being necessary merely to bring the engaging teeth into such relation that their undercut faces engage one with another, whereupon the: are automatically dr .2 n together and firmly held in engagement. moreover, that the greater the power transmitted, the greater will be the component tending to draw the members together, thus automatically varying this force to meet the conditions required. The members, mo1'cover, are. thrown out of engagement with a minimum 0f efl'ort, it' being necessary merely to draw them apart to such an extent as to bring their converging faces into operative relation one with another, whereupon.

It will. be noted.

they are quickly and automatically drawn apart. By reason of the substantially identical conformation of the two sides of each of the teeth moreover, the entire mechanism acts with equal .efficiency whether the engine be run in a forward or reversed direction and all of the advantageous features thereof are present irrespective of the direction of rotation of the driving member. The entire mechanism is of the simplest and most. durable construction and positive and reliableaction.

As -many changes .could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of m invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, I- intend that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustratlve and not in a limiting sense. 1

.I desire it also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the-generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of-thescope of'the inven-= tion which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there-between.

Having described in invention, what I claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, in 'conibinati on, a pair of clutcl1-1nembers provided with nieansadaptcd on' said members being throw 11 into engagement one with another automatically to tend to draw the same together, said means comprising a plurality of teeth upon each member, the space between contiguous teeth upon a member in- 15 creasing in a direction toward the roots thereof. 1 I

2. In a deviceof the class described, in combination, a clutch member, a. second ,lutch-menrb'er adapted to be thrown laterally toward thesaine, and means upon the lateral surface of one of said clutch-inenrbers adapted to engage the other thereof and tend to draw said members together, said means comprising a plurality of teeth upon said member, the space between contiguous teeth upon the member decreasing and then. increasing in a direction toward the roots thereof.

3. In a device of the class described, in

tiguous teeth upon a. member decreasing and then increasing in a direction toward the roots thereof and the'rmnimuin space being sufficient to permit the passage of the thickest portions of the teeth upon the opposit member.

4. In a device of the class described, in combination, a. clutch member, a second clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterally toward the same, and interlocking, teeth upon said melnbers each of said teeth being undercut upon each side and being adapted to engage another tooth and tend to draw said members together.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination, a clutch-member, a second clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterally toward the same, and means upon the lateral surface of one of said clutch inenibers adapted upon being placed in a predetermined relation to the other of said clutchmembers to tend to draw said nicnlbers together said last mentioned means being adapted to operate irrespective of the direc tion of rotation of said members.

6. In a device of the class descrlbed, in

combination, a clutch member, a. second clutch-member adapted to be thrown later ally toward the same, and tee th upon the ads {iI-(Qllt lateral surfaces of said clutch-men )ers adapted upon said .meinbers being thrown together to intermesh, the outer faces ofsaid teeth converging and the inner faces thereof being undercut and the opposite sides of each of said teeth being substantially identical. r

. 7. In a device of the-class described, in combination, a clutch member,. a. second clutch member adapted to be thrown later ally toward the Seine, and teeth upon the adjacent lateral surfaces of said clutch-menibers adapted upon said members being thrown together to interniesh, the outer faces ofeach tooth converging and both inner faces thereof being undercut.

S. In a device of the class described, in combination, a clutchmember, a second clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterally toward the same, and teeth upon the ad jacent lateral surfaces of said clutch-1nem bers adapted upon said members being thrown together to interniesh, the faces upon the sides of each of said teeth comprising two curved surfaces the inner of which is substantially the reverse of the outer and the outer of which comprises a portion inclined toward the point of the tooth and a portion inclined inwardly toward the root.

combination, a clutch ine nber, a second clutch-member adapted to be thrown later ally toward the same, andteeth upon the adjacent lateral surfaces of said clutch-members adapted upon said members being thrown together to intermesh, the faces upon the sides of each of said teeth comprising in-. ner and outer portions inclined toward the tion inclined toward the root thereof.

10. Ina device of the class described, in combination, a clutchmember, a second clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterallytoward the same, and teeth u on the ad- 'acent lateral surfaces of said cfhtch-memers adapted upon said members being thrown together to intermesh, the faces upon ,the sides of eachof said teeth comprising inner and outer portions inclined toward the point of the tooth and an intermediate portion inclined toward the root thereof, and the outer half of each engaging surface of the tooth bein substantially the reverse of the inner half t iereof.

11. In a. device of the class described, in combination, a clutch .member, a. second clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterally toward the same, and teeth 11 on the lateral. surface of one of said clutc members tE-IM to draw said members together, all the engaging surfaces of said teeth bein radial to the axis of rotation of said member and 9. In a. device of the class described, in

point of the tooth, and an intermediate por.

ada )ted upon engaging the other member to y the space betweencontiguous teeth upon clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterbeing substantia Corrections inletters Patent No. 874,419.

ally toward the same, and interlocking, teeth upon said members each of whichis undercut upon both sides adapted upon belng thrown into operative relation to tend to draw said members to -ether, all 'en aging surfaces of said teeth being substantia 1y radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are ositioned.

13. In a device 0 the class described, in combination, a clutch me1'nber,a second clutch-member adapted to be thrqwn late1' ally toward the same, and teeth upon the lateral surfaces of said clutch members provided with inclined faces adapted upon being thrown into a predetermined relation one with another to tend to throw apart said members, all en aging surfaces of said teeth lly radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are positioned.

14. In a device of the class described, in combination, a clutch member, a\ second clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterally-toward the same, and teeth u on the adjacent lateral surfaces of said c utch-memcase in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this'21st day of January, A. D., 1908.

bers adapted to intermesh upon said mem- I ner faces thereof being undercut and all engaging, surfaces thereof being radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are positioned. i

1-5. In a device of the class described, in combination, a clutch member, a second clutch-member adapted to bev thrown laterally toward the same, and teeth upon the lateral surfaces of said clutch-members adapted upon said members being thrown together to intermesh, the faces upon the sides of each of said teeth comprising two curved surfaces,

the inner of which is substantiallythe reverse of the outer and the outer of which comprises a portlon inclined toward the point of the tooth, and an intermediate surface inclined toward the root of the 'tooth, all engaging surfaces of said teeth being substantlally radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are poistioned.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.v

WILLIAM .R.' MOKEEN, JR.

VVitnesse-s:

ARTHUR H. FETTERS, WILLIAM S. MCGUNE.

i It ishereby certified that in :Letters Patent No. 874,419, granted December 24, 1907, upon the application of William R. McKeen, Jr., of Omaha, Nebraska, for an improvement in Clutch Mechanism, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 48, page 3, and line 7, page 4, the commas after'the words interlocking should be stricken out, and. that the said Letters Patent should be i read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the o. o. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

the space betweencontiguous teeth upon clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterbeing substantia Corrections inletters Patent No. 874,419.

ally toward the same, and interlocking, teeth upon said members each of whichis undercut upon both sides adapted upon belng thrown into operative relation to tend to draw said members to -ether, all 'en aging surfaces of said teeth being substantia 1y radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are ositioned.

13. In a device 0 the class described, in combination, a clutch me1'nber,a second clutch-member adapted to be thrqwn late1' ally toward the same, and teeth upon the lateral surfaces of said clutch members provided with inclined faces adapted upon being thrown into a predetermined relation one with another to tend to throw apart said members, all en aging surfaces of said teeth lly radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are positioned.

14. In a device of the class described, in combination, a clutch member, a\ second clutch-member adapted to be thrown laterally-toward the same, and teeth u on the adjacent lateral surfaces of said c utch-memcase in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this'21st day of January, A. D., 1908.

bers adapted to intermesh upon said mem- I ner faces thereof being undercut and all engaging, surfaces thereof being radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are positioned. i

1-5. In a device of the class described, in combination, a clutch member, a second clutch-member adapted to bev thrown laterally toward the same, and teeth upon the lateral surfaces of said clutch-members adapted upon said members being thrown together to intermesh, the faces upon the sides of each of said teeth comprising two curved surfaces,

the inner of which is substantiallythe reverse of the outer and the outer of which comprises a portlon inclined toward the point of the tooth, and an intermediate surface inclined toward the root of the 'tooth, all engaging surfaces of said teeth being substantlally radial to the axes of rotation of the members upon which they are poistioned.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.v

WILLIAM .R.' MOKEEN, JR.

VVitnesse-s:

ARTHUR H. FETTERS, WILLIAM S. MCGUNE.

i It ishereby certified that in :Letters Patent No. 874,419, granted December 24, 1907, upon the application of William R. McKeen, Jr., of Omaha, Nebraska, for an improvement in Clutch Mechanism, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 48, page 3, and line 7, page 4, the commas after'the words interlocking should be stricken out, and. that the said Letters Patent should be i read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the o. o. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 874,419, granted December 24, 1907, hpon the application of William R. McKeen, Jr., of Omaha, Nebraska, for an improvement in Clutch Mechanism," errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 48, page 3, and line 7, page 4, the commas afterlhe words interlocking should be stricken out; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of January, A. D., 1908.

C. C. BILLINGS,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

[SEA L.] 

